Local school board members are dedicated citizens who carry out the truest form of representative government—volunteer public service. School board service is perhaps the purest expression of grassroots democratic principles upon which our nation was founded.

In these challenging times, school board members are called upon to be the policy makers for our school district and are often called upon to make tough decisions. The week of January 27 through February 1, 2003, has been declared School Board Recognition Week by the Missouri School Boards’ Association. It’s a time for educators and citizens across the state to salute these unpaid volunteers who serve public education on behalf of their communities. It seems fitting that at least once a year we thank them for their time and dedication.

Being an effective school board member is no easy task. Lay school leaders need to be knowledgeable about many complex educational and social issues. Board members govern individual school districts, establish local policies, approve educational programs, provide necessary physical facilities, hire the superintendent, and share in costs by raising necessary local funds along with state funds to operate district educational programs.

School board members’ service ensures that decisions about our public schools are made as close to the needs of our children and communities as possible. Further, our local board members serve as examples for our young people of the excellent tradition of volunteering that is a hallmark of our society.

School board members face challenges every day. For their untiring personal dedication and commitment to public service, let’s give our school board members a hand.

Brenda Kelsey, Board President

11 Years Service

Doug Clarkson, Vice President

2 Years Service

Kenneth Crandall, Secretary

4 Years Service

Eddy Turner, Treasurer

6 Years Service

Brent Hettinger, MSBA Delegate

2 Years Service

Curtis Gordon, Member

1 Year Service

Brad Smith, Member

3 Years Service

PENNIES FOR PATIENTS

The elementary will be collecting pennies from February 17th through March 7th to raise money for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The class that raises the most money will win a Pizza Hut Pizza party. Last year the winning class was Mrs. Fisher's first grade.

Help fight the battle against leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and Hodgkin's disease by bringing in your spare change!

SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETS

On December 10, 2002, the safety advisory committee met in the library. The committee consists of students, parents, administrators, and local emergency response personnel. Many items were discussed and reviewed. We have an excellent safety program in place, but there was one concern brought up by the fire department, ambulance department, and sheriff’s department. They asked me to address this issue in the school newsletter.

In the event of an emergency, we need to ask parents to not come to the scene. Even though you just want to help, it makes it impossible for emergency personnel to do their jobs effectively. I’m sure that if your child was injured and in need of an ambulance, you would not want other parents at the scene blocking the ambulance and perhaps putting your child in more danger. All parents want to make sure their children are safe, and that is the same goal of the school and emergency workers.

In the event of an accident, please do not go to the scene. Come to the school and we will release students to the parents there. If there is an injury, we can more effectively treat it and transport students if emergency workers are not hindered. I repeat, PLEASE DO NOT GO TO THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT.

In the event of an emergency at the school such as a fire, please do not come to the school. We will do everything possible to make sure your child is safe. Meet at the Keller building and we will get information to the parents there. Information on where to pick up your children will be broadcast on KTUF, KRXL, and KIRX radio stations. It is imperative that we keep all roads open around the school so emergency personnel can access all buildings.

Mr. Wilburn

LIBRARY DONATIONS

Recently books have been donated to the library in the memory of loved ones who have passed on. These include: Lizards, Frogs, and Polywogs by Douglas Florian, donated in memory of Walter Gordon, father of Curtis Gordon and grandfather of Brandon and Nicholas Gordon; Meerkats, Growing Up Royal, Brady’s Civil War and Valiant Women of the Vietnam War donated in memory of Connie Lewis. We would like to thank Kelly Moore, Ashlee Erwin, and Bobbi Bradley for helping to select these books in Connie’s honor.

Several donations have been made to the library this school year and we would like to take the time to recognize and thank these people. Our benefactors include Jackie Church, who donated fifteen BHS Yearbooks from the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s, Charles Still, Garry Lewis, Annalea Sykes, Adair County R-II School Faculty and Staff, The Adair County R-II School Board, and Tara Kamman. We offer our thanks to all of our contributors.

Books make a lasting tribute to the memory of our loved ones. If there is someone that you would like to memorialize in this way, please contact Denise Brown, Library Media Specialist at 323-5272

FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOP

Amy Hager, Director of Financial Aid at Moberly Area Community College will be conducting a financial aid/FAFSA workshop on February 4 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Business Room. Plan on attending to learn the most common mistakes made on the FAFSA, how to file on the web, and many other helpful tips. If you have your tax information, you may bring it with you if you wish as we will have access to the Business Room computers. Contact Christy Grissom at 323-5272 if you have any questions.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Construction is progressing on schedule and the steel roof decking is complete. Interior and exterior metal stud installation is nearly complete. The exterior finish and interior dry wall installation is scheduled to begin toward the end of January.

The building is beginning to take shape and, with a little imagination, one is able to visualize the finished project.

You can view the progress at: http://brashear.k12.mo.us/newel/index.htm

SCHOOL COUNSELORS: PROVIDING LESSONS FOR LIFE

National School Counseling Week is February 3-7. In honor of this week, I'd like to take the opportunity to let you know about a few of the many activities that your school counselor does throughout the year. Some of the activities include:

- Lunch Bunch Clubs where students grades K-6 get the opportunity to have lunch with me

- career awareness activities

- social skills training

- testing

- crisis management/intervention

These are only a few of the many programs and activities that are available to you and your students through the Counseling Office. If you have any questions or suggestions about these or other programs, please do not hesitate to contact me at 323-5272 or christy_grissom@brashear.k12.mo.us. You might want to also check out the guidance we page for sites specifically for parents, teachers, and students (http://brashear.k12.mo.us/dept/guidance/). Who benefits from a school counselor? Everyone! Including students, faculty, staff, parents, and the community!!

Mrs. Grissom

BRASHEAR TOURNAMENT

The Adair County R-II 74th Annual Invitational Tournament will be held from Monday, February 3 through Friday, February 7 at the Brashear High School Gymnasium. We will host Higbee and Novinger.

The admission fees for the tournament will be $1.00 for students, $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for senior citizens. We hope to have good community support, as we always have, for the tournament games. We wish for each team to play their best, and may the best team win!

PTS will be working the kitchen during the tournament in order to raise scholarship money. If you would be willing to work or donate desserts for any of the three nights, please contact Robin Taylor at 323-2828.

SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES

This year we have had two candidates file for the two available positions on the Adair County R-II School Board. Those who have filed include incumbent Bradley A. Smith and Roger L. Thompson. Please remember to vote on Tuesday, April 8, 2003 for your local Board members. If you are not a registered voter, the last to day to register to vote in the general election is Wednesday, March 12.

MENU

Breakfast each day includes milk and juice. The following items are offered daily for students to choose from in lieu of the main entrée: salad bar, yogurt or peanut butter and jelly sandwich.